“Because it’s a great movie that works on so many levels. It really says something about our society and all of the things that are wrong with it.”

Eve shook her head. “It’s more than that to you, Lionel. You have an ape suit in your closet.”

Winters spoke up. “Nice try, Detective, but my client is not going to answer any—”

Coyle interrupted her, his eyes still on Eve. “You make it sound like having an ape suit is something crazy. It’s no different than a Star Trek fan who has a Starfleet uniform.”

“Who says that isn’t crazy, too?” Duncan said.

But Coyle ignored Duncan. He was only interested in what Eve had to say.

“It’s not just the one movie you like, it’s all the sequels and spin-offs, too,” Eve said. “What’s the attraction?”

“It’s a world upside down. It’s a place where apes, creatures that we consider inferior today, are ruling the world and keeping humans as house pets, slaves, and lab animals.”

“It sounds to me like you’re rooting for the apes.”

“I am.”

“But aren’t they the bad guys?”

Winters spoke up again, directing herself to Coyle this time. “Mr. Coyle, I must insist that you—”

“You’re missing the point of the movie, Deathfist,” Coyle said, speaking over Winters’ objection. “The bad guys are whoever it is who think they are better than everybody else. This world needs to be turned upside down.”

“I’ll have to watch the movie again,” Eve said. “Where’s the DVD you bought at Walmart?”

That question made Coyle’s eyelid twitch, just like it did when Eve told him yesterday that she’d tied him to Vickie Denhoff’s rape. Eve found it very curious that mentioning the DVD got the same involuntary response.

Winters slapped her hand on the table. “This conversation is over. We’re not here to answer your questions. We’re making you a face-saving offer. You should take it. The offer expires in an hour.”

“You heard Detective Ronin’s generous offer,” Duncan said. “I’d take it if I were you, Lionel. Because if we find the bodies without your help—”

Duncan jerked violently in his chair as if a thousand volts were coursing through his body.

Winters bolted up out of her seat in outrage. “That’s enough! That was way out of line, Detective.”

“She’s right.” Eve turned to Duncan and stood up, too. “You were wrong. They don’t use the electric chair anymore. It’s lethal injection.”

“That’s what lethal injection looks like.” Duncan rose to his feet and smiled at Coyle. “When they screw up the dosage and the prisoner endures intense agony. You’ll see.”